§ 41. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary whether he has read the verdict of the jury in the case of Thomas Ashe; whether he will take steps to put an end to the practice of depriving a prisoner of 562 everything of comfort in his cell as a. punishment for infraction of discipline; whether he will give instructions that. dietary punishments should be stopped as mean and dangerous to health; and whether he will decline to authorise in future the practice of forcible or artificial feeding?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe answer to the first, part of the question is in the affirmative: to the other three parts in the negative. Forcible feeding is never used except in the last resort as a medical measure to, preserve the life of a prisoner who is. attempting to commit suicide by refusing, food.
§ Major CHAPPLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between forcible feeding which requires force and artificial feeding which requires no force at all?
§ Sir G. CAVEIt was artificial feeding.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case referred to, forcible feeding did not succeed in keeping, the prisoner alive?
§ Sir G. CAVEOf course I am aware of it.
§ Major CHAPPLEIs there any evidence that the feeding in this case was resisted?
§ Sir G. CAVEI know that there were special facts in this case, but that does not, relieve us from the necessity of saving life where we can.